Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

scylla

/ˈsɪlə/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.45 in modern English

Syllables: scyl-la
IPA: /ˈsɪlə/

11

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

name

A dangerous rock on the Italian coast opposite the whirlpool Charybdis on the coast of Sicily. The passage between Scylla and Charybdis was formerly considered perilous; hence, the saying between Scylla and Charybdis signifies a great peril on either hand.

name

A personification of said rock as a ravenous monster.

name

A princess, daughter of King Nisos of Megara, who fell in love with King Minos and betrayed her city to him.

name

The main belt asteroid 155 Scylla.

Example Sentences

"I have never yet been able to steer my lovers through the Scylla of presence, or the Charybdis of absence."
"Ah cease rash Youth! desist e'er 'tis too late, / Fear the just Gods, and think of Scylla′s Fate!"

Etymology

From Latin Scylla, from Ancient Greek Σκύλλα (Skúlla).

Origin

Source language: Latin

Word Breakdown

Root: Scylla, Σκύλλα

Phrases

between Scylla and Charybdis

Frequently Paired Words

Charybdis

Homonyms

scilla

Rhymes With

villa manila vanilla gorilla guerrilla godzilla camilla sevilla priscilla padilla guerilla attila

Questions

How do you pronounce scylla?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈsɪlə/.
What does scylla mean?: A dangerous rock on the Italian coast opposite the whirlpool Charybdis on the coast of Sicily. The passage between Scylla and Charybdis was formerly considered perilous; hence, the saying between Scylla and Charybdis signifies a great peril on either hand.
Where does scylla come from?: It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce scylla

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “scylla”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈsɪlə/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “scylla”.
Repeat and practice — Say “scylla” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.